The company is eager to implement a more streamlined comms and reporting structure to avoid a repeat of last year's scandal over exaggerated oil reserves.

Group V-P of external affairs Mary-Jo Jacobi said it needed a firm to 'position the entire corporation' to 'shareholders, the news media, NGOs and government agencies' across 142 markets. Shell wants an agency with experience of multinational support, with a hire scheduled for 'early autumn', when Jacobi is due to step down (PRWeek, 1 July).